My project is called “Down The Middle.” What I did was get two masks, a black one and a white one, they both are very similar and have the same expression as they both have neutral expressions. I would invite people to write two phrases, words, or statements on both sides of the paper. They would then go on to write a negative phrase, word, or statement on one side then write a positive one on the other side. This is done to represent the duality of the mind, how there are good and bad halves to everyone. This can also represent how one must come to terms with the bad within themselves to find the good. I chose this topic because it's very close to my major in psychology. Like my previous project I want the audience to understand that bad thoughts are human and normal and that it is possible to overcome such thoughts. The audience would not only write the phrases but also see their work in action as they would then look through the mask's eyes, nose, or mouth and see how the mask works. After some people participated I did receive some feedback, some people said simple things like “It’s very creative”, and “It’s well thought out” whereas I got more enthusiastic feedback for example “I really put things into perspective”. As I stated earlier this project really goes hand in hand with my major as it's about mental health which is what I plan to find a career as a therapist, now although I am not pursuing a career in art my project can possibly be used in my pursuit of my current career. I was heavily inspired by the Yin and Yang symbol, however the concept is ancient and has no single creator. The symbol we use today is made by an 11th-century Chinese philosopher Zhou Dunyi. I was also inspired by Yoko Ono and how she involves the crowd in “Cut Piece”. Shaun Leonardo also was an inspiration, not any particular work of his but he always did a physical representation to get his point across. Last but not least “Untitled” (Perfect Lovers) by Felix Gonzalez-Torres it’s a very simple looking piece of art as it’s just two clocks paired together in sync then slowly lose their sync, this was made for his boyfriend who sadly passed from AIDS, however this could also be seen as how couples just sometimes happen to fall out of love, it can have many meanings based on the person viewing it which is what I want my project to do invoke various ideas that are similar in some way. Through my Research I went in depth into both duality and mental health represented and used in art and art activism. Duality or Dualism itself is more than just a philosophical viewpoint or a way for exploration of human thought, reality or existence, when applied to art it becomes a tool that can bring about clashing elements and turn it into something beautiful “dualism is not merely an abstract philosophical stance but a dynamic tool that enables the exploration of contrasting or opposing elements. Artists employ dualistic thinking to navigate between dichotomies such as presence and absence, reality and illusion, self and other, or organic and synthetic. Through various mediums—including visual arts, literature, film, and performance—contemporary creators continue to grapple with the tensions and intersections that dualism evokes, reflecting its continued relevance and adaptability to the shifting landscapes of modern society.” (Kodirov). Even being used in more cultural contexts “Tabwa Janus figures represent a local interpretation of ideas concerning the dual nature of existence important to Bantu-speaking peoples throughout the region. They reflect a sense of time and space seen, for in- stance, in the Kongo cosmograms about which Robert Farris Thompson has written (1983), in which crossed axes bring ego into conjunction with divinity” (Roberts pg. 35). Art also plays a role in therapy as well most believe its the ink blotches but in actuality it goes more in depth. Art Therapy is when a therapist uses the creative process of art making to improve a person’s physical, mental, and emotional well being through creative expression via mediums like drawing, painting, sculpting, and even photography. “Art therapy is one of the creative art therapies (along with music therapy, drama therapy, and dance therapy). The creative art therapies differ from other therapies by their experiential and nonverbal character. Characteristic for art therapy is the methodical use of art means such as drawing, painting, collage, and sculpting to shape and express feelings, thoughts, and memories.” (Schouten)
Sources
Javlonbek, Kodirov. "Dualism and its Presence in Contemporary Artistic Thought." Spanish Journal of Innovation and Integrity 37 (2024): 16-25.
Roberts, Allen F. "Duality in Tabwa art." African arts 19.4 (1986): 26-87.
Schouten, Karin Alice, et al. "The effectiveness of art therapy in the treatment of traumatized adults: A systematic review on art therapy and trauma." Trauma, violence, & abuse 16.2 (2015): 220-228.
Daykin, Norma, et al. "The impact of art, design and environment in mental healthcare: a systematic review of the literature." Journal of the Royal Society for the Promotion of Health 128.2 (2008): 85-94.
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